Prescribing for Community Practitioners (V150)

Module start dates

Lancaster - 15 October 2013

Carlisle - 25 March 2014

Lancaster - 26 March 2014

Applications should be made as early as possible. Late applications will be considered on an individual basis but please be aware that the V150 course requires a lengthy processing time.

Finance

If you are employed within NHS North West and this module is to be funded by your employing Trust, please contact your Prescribing Lead and Trust CPD Lead for advice relating to funding and the funding application process.

Why study with us?

Successful completion of this module enables nurses to apply for their V150 prescribing qualification to be recorded with Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a Community Practitioner Nurse Prescriber.

At the revalidation of this module in February 2011, we were commended for student support.

A variety of teaching and learning strategies are adopted to stimulate sharing and learning amongst experienced practitioners.

On completion of the module students should be able to:

• Critically reflect on their ability to consult effectively with patients and carers, assessing their need for medicines, taking account of their wishes and conducting, as appropriate, a relevant physical examination
• Critically appraise the relevance of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics and apply the knowledge to their own prescribing practice, demonstrating numeracy skills supporting safe prescribing, recognising and evaluating influences on prescribing practice at individual, local and national levels
• Articulate and demonstrate how they will prescribe safely, appropriately and cost effectively, justifying the local application of legal and professional frameworks for accountability and responsibility in relation to prescribing from the Nurse Prescribers’ Formulary for Community Practitioners, whilst demonstrating an understanding of the importance of record keeping in the context of medicines management
• Critique sources of information, advice and support, explaining how they will use them in prescribing practice, taking into account evidence based practice, national/ local guidelines and the roles of others who are involved in prescribing practice
• Critically reflect on the factors which impact on prescribing in a public health context and which necessitate therapeutic monitoring and modification and practice based change
• Demonstrate they can take an appropriate history, undertake a clinical assessment and make an appropriate diagnosis having considered the legal, cognitive, emotional and physical differences between children and adults (or refer to another prescriber when working outside their area of expertise and level of competence)

Nurse Independent Prescribers, please see course information page for V300

What can this course lead to? This module can be studied as part of the University Advanced Diploma (UAD) Practice Development or top-up degree e.g. BSc (Hons) Practice Development or BSc (Hons) Nursing Practice. Student work

Module assessment

Formative Assessment:
Completion of learning contracts to reflect on your individual learning needs; Case study presentations; Prescription writing

Summative Assessment:
A 1.5 hour unseen exam paper which will test essential pharmacological knowledge to underpin practice and numeracy skills,
Completion of a reflective portfolio of evidence,
Completion of competency profile by student and Practice Assessor.

Entry requirements See course specific entry requirements listed below.

More about levels and credits

Credit and UCAS requirements Credit: 20 credits Selection criteria Students wishing to access the course will need to provide evidence of the ability to study successfully at Level 6 (HE level 3) within the last 6 years or complete a short pre-course assessment.

Nurses, midwives and health visitors must meet the following requirements:

1. At least two years post registration clinical experience (or part–time equivalent) and be deemed competent in the area in which you intend to practice
2. A practising community practitioner nurse prescriber (V100/V150/V300) mentor willing to supervise and assess your 10 days of ‘learning in practice’
3. The support of your employer who will also need to confirm that:
   

   (i) the applicant’s post is one in which you will have the clinical need and opportunity to prescribe as a community practitioner prescriber
   (ii) you are competent to take a history, undertake a clinical assessment & diagnose
   (iii) current Enhanced Disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau (clearances should have been completed within the last three years of the course start date); a copy of the current disclosure should be submitted with application or provided prior to the start date of the course.
   (iv) the applicant has sufficient knowledge to apply prescribing principles taught on the programme of preparation to their own area and field of practice
   (v) access to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) opportunities on completion of the course and access to a prescribing budget on completion of the course

4. For those students within Cumbria and Lancashire, successful completion of the pre-course numeracy assessment - access arranged through your Non-medical Prescribing Lead
5. A completed V150 application form (forms are available to download from the North West Non-medical Prescribing website.

Additional contact information

For further information please contact Health Admissions and the Non Medical Prescribing Lead within your NHS Trust / practice area.

Apply now

To apply, please download a V150 application form from the North West Non Medical Prescribing website.

Modules

NMLB6084 V150 Prescribing for Community Practitioners (20 credits at level 6)

Course summary

A single (20 credit) level 6 module, which requires 10 days attendance plus 10 days supervision in practice. The module content includes:

• Consultation and decision making
• The psychology of prescribing and influencing factors
• Prescribing in a team
• General principles and application of pharmacology and therapeutics
• Principles and methods of patient monitoring
• Evidence-based practice
• Prescribing in the public health context
• Legal, policy, professional and ethical aspects
• Legal, emotional and physical differences between children and adult.